New use for Marimo Moss Balls: Floating "Tree"

**jonathandowers** · 11th Apr 2011, 06:02 PM

So I just got my Marimo mossballs, and was sad to see them float within minutes of being in direct light.

That immediately gave me an idea

.

I split the Marimo in half, and tied the flat base down to a rock.

Result (the picture cannot do it justice):

My shrimp *love* hanging upside down and sleeping under it.

This opens up so many exciting possibilities!

My suggestions to make this better:
* Use an invisible, non-degradable fishing line and create a line of different layers (kind of like the old school Mario mushroom top platforms).
* Use a stiff line/wire to have the Marimo maintain it's position when the lights go off (or else they'll sink and unexpectedly frighten the shrimp)
* Use a stick of driftwood, split a bit of the end, and use it as a 'fork' to pinch the Marimo base. Then it'll look like a real mini 'tree'.

**gourmettea** · 20th Apr 2011, 09:22 PM

Is it still floating? My usually only float for a few hours then it sinks...

**jonathandowers** · 20th Apr 2011, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by gourmettea

Is it still floating? My usually only float for a few hours then it sinks...

Yes! Mine is still floating strong. If I turn off the light, it does sink. With the lights on, it takes about an hour or two to float again.

The shrimp *love* sleeping underneath it. Plus, I use it as a feeding hill. The broken food pieces sink into the marimo instead of the gravel, and the shrimp love cleaning it thoroughly.

On an interesting note, a small, 4 mm piece of the marimo budded off, and it's rising/sinking every hour or so on it's free will (this is a completely still tank). Very fun to watch

**gourmettea** · 20th Apr 2011, 09:34 PM

You can make a Avatar tank!

**jonathandowers** · 20th Apr 2011, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by gourmettea

You can make a Avatar tank!

An avatar tank?

**Shrimp_Hunter** · 20th Apr 2011, 10:36 PM

the movie Avatar

**Mark** · 22nd Apr 2011, 07:45 PM

Your Marimo ball will die then rot on the bottom side if its tied down . It floats because of photosynthesis and will sink in darkness .

You can if you dont want it to float give it a gentle squeeze and it will sink ,but you must remember to turn it every few days if it stays on the bottom .